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Characteristics of Sobriety: Humility

Humility is a vital part of recovering from addiction. Here is how Webster defines humility: “The quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people; the quality or state of being humble.”

Humility is a vital part of recovering from addiction. Here is how Webster defines humility: “The quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people; the quality or state of being humble.”

Author and historian John Dickson called it, "The noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources, or use your influence for the good of others before yourself.”

How does this apply to recovery? Those under the spell of addiction must surrender and accept they are powerless over their addiction. This surrender is both emotional and intellectual in nature. The power of addiction is unrelenting. The surrender process is a major form of humility.

Humility is also a willingness to learn and to be open-minded. This characteristic is so important for those dealing with addiction because it is a matter of life or death that they gain the tools and understanding needed to progress. Addiction is an illness that doesn’t want you to expose it or deal with it. Addiction’s main symptoms are denial and isolation. The humility of learning and helping others is one of the main reasons people enjoy sobriety and recovery though the Twelve Steps.

Typically, only severe consequences lead to humility. The consequences of addiction help lead us to humility. It gives us a sense of wonder and creates a lack of drama that is needed for those who battle addiction.

For me, humility is dependent on my spiritual preparation, which we will talk about later in the series.

Blog written by George Joseph, LCDC
George Joseph is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor who began his career in 1983. George is the CEO of The Right Step,...